Savannah Jones is running for Union County High School's homecoming queen, representing the Horace Maynard Chapter of Future Farmers of America. But she's not in the competition for the glory or the crown. She's in it because she believes in the FFA and the benefits it gives students. The money she raises as a homecoming candidate will go right back into the FFA program.

"If there's one thing I could tell people about this homecoming race, it's that it's not to support me so much as it is to support the chapter, to support the kids that are in the FFA," Jones said. "It's a really important program to a lot of us. It helps kids get out of their shells and grow and learn something new."

The UCHS junior is president of the school's FFA chapter this year. She said the program needs more funding, that the program helps students who can't afford fees and hotel rooms to travel to competitions. Everyone gets to compete, and no one gets left behind due to funding.

Jones knows the value of the skills imparted by the UCHS agriculture program and FFA in particular. She started her own farm meats business her freshman year, doing all the research and purchasing herself, and the Jones and Co. Meat Sales is still going strong.

"A lot of things that they've taught me about record-keeping have really changed the way that we do things. With the money last year's Homecoming raised, we got record-keeping software that we can use on our phones. It's really helped me and other members," she said. "Starting out, I was a very shy kid my freshman year. The more time I spent in the chapter the more I learned a lot from the people older than me and the teachers. I learned a lot about how to do things on my own, and I did a science presentation in front of judges. It's taught me a lot and brought me far."

Jones said her business sales are growing, and she's adding new products, branching out into vegetables. Last year, she moved "1,400 dozen sweet corn. That was a lot of picking," she said. Funds from her business help defray her animal-showing costs and go into a college fund.

For the homecoming fundraising, Jones and other FFA members are hard at work, too. They've been selling concessions at festivals and football games. They hosted a bass tournament, and they're holding events reminiscent of Painting with a Twist in the high school art room.

"Honestly, I've realized there's a reason people only do this once," joked Jones. "It wears you out, but it's worth it."

The next fundraising event for Jones and the FFA is BBQ at the Barn, set for 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at a family barn at 240 Albright Road, Andersonville. Dinner is $10 per plate and includes two sides, dessert and a drink. There will also be live music, a silent auction, cornhole tournament, games, vendors and more. Dinner will be served 5-7 p.m., and the silent auction runs 5 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. All are invited to come support the FFA at this event.

Jones pointed out the new FFA mission statement: "FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education."

"To have a program like that that's available in the high school, I feel like that's a really important thing for everybody," she said.